Sea Eagle 370 Inflatable Kayak Review (SE370)

The Sea Eagle 370 (SE370) inflatable kayak is a solid all-arounder that strikes a nice balance between performance, stability, quality, and offers good value for your money. This review will take a detailed look at its key features and give you the pros and cons of the SE370, so you’ll be able to decide if it’s right for you.

Cons

Key Features

Portability & ease of storage – Despite being over 12 feet long, the Sea Eagle 370 and included accessories pack down to 31″ x 19″ x 8″, or about the dimensions of a medium-sized suitcase. It’ll fit easily into the trunk of your car and give you plenty of room to spare for your other gear. It’s also easy to stash away in a closet when it’s not being used.

Stable – Its fairly wide 34-inch hull combined with its large air chambers help to make the SE370 very stable even compared to other inflatable kayaks.

Rugged construction – Sea Eagle uses 38 mil PolyKrylar in the construction of the SE370, which makes it significantly more durable than some of the cheaper inflatable kayaks on the market. It’s also reinforced with extra material along the bow and stern, which helps protect it from impacts with obstacles.

Curved bow & stern – Having an upward curve along its bow and stern helps it punch through light chop and waves.

Removable skegs – The SE370 has not one, but two removable skegs that help improve speed and tracking through the water and reduces zigzagging motion while paddling.

High Weight Capacity – With a weight capacity of 650 pounds, the SE370 can easily handle two full-size adults and can even take a third passenger in a pinch.

Specifications

Length

12’ 6″

Width

34”

Weight

32 pounds

Weight Capacity

650 pounds

Number of Passengers

2 (max 3)

Inflation and Deflation Demonstration:

Performance: 3.5/5

The SE370, like most inflatable kayaks, isn’t built to be a high-performance racing kayak. It sacrifices some of the performance you get with a hard-shell kayak for the portability, stability, and convenience of being an inflatable.

It’s not going to be as fast or agile on the water as your average hard-shell kayak, but having said that, the Sea Eagle SE370 can definitely hold its own compared to other inflatable kayaks.

Generally speaking, the wider a kayak’s hull is, the more stable it will be, but the downside is that a wider hull also means more drag and a slower kayak. With a hull width of 34 inches, the SE370 is about average for an inflatable kayak and strikes a nice balance between speed and stability.

The SE370’s slightly longer length and two skegs help it to track through the water in a straight line, rather than swinging side-to-side as you paddle. This is a nice plus on longer trips as zigzagging back and forth over longer distances becomes very inefficient.

The large air chamber diameter combined with its length does mean that the SE370 can get pushed around a bit by the wind, particularly if there is a strong crosswind. This is a pretty common issue for most inflatable kayaks, though, and isn’t unique to the SE370. Just keep an eye on the weather and avoid paddling in exposed locations on windy days.

The curved bow and stern are a nice touch that helps the SE370 ‘climb over’ light waves and chop. And while you’re not likely to find much chop in sheltered lakes, the SE370 is rated for up to class III rapids, which can definitely produce some decently rough water.

Stability: 4.5/5

The SE370’s large air chambers and 34-inch wide hull give it excellent stability on the water, which makes it a solid choice for paddlers that are still working on their sea legs. The added stability is also a big plus if you’ll be carrying a lot of gear or will have kids on board as they tend to move around and rock the boat a bit.

The 34-inch wide hull not only gives you a nice stable platform to paddle from, but it also makes it easier to get in and out of without feeling like it’s about to tip over.

Durability 4/5

Sea Eagle uses a 38 mil PolyKrylar in the construction of the SE370. It’s a surprisingly rugged material and does a good job standing up to even moderate abuse. It’s rated for up to class III rapids, which should give you an idea of how tough it is.

Like any inflatable kayak, though, the SE370 isn’t as puncture resistant as a hard-shell kayak. But that’s probably not a surprise.

Despite that, it’s well made uses quality materials. And the good news is that if you do manage to puncture it – despite its heavy-duty construction – the SE370 is easy to repair with its included repair kit. Unlike some kinds of hard-shell kayaks, it doesn’t require any special tools and is something you can definitely do yourself.

For some added peace of mind, Sea Eagle stands behind their boats and offers a 3-year warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects. You won’t find that kind of warranty on cheaper inflatable kayaks – or even some of the more expensive ones for that matter.

Value 4/5

The Sea Eagle SE370 is a solid all-around package. It has decent performance characteristics, is very stable on the water, and is well made out of quality materials. While you can certainly find cheaper inflatable kayaks, these are typically only suited to being used a handful of times a year.

One feature of the SE370 that offers particularly good value is the fact that it’s a convertible kayak; the seats are removable and can be repositioned so it can be used in either a solo or tandem setup. If you know you’ll always be paddling with a partner, this isn’t a big deal. On the other hand, if you think you’ll do a mix of solo and tandem paddling, this feature can save you a bundle by avoiding the cost of a second kayak.

Sea Eagle also goes the extra mile by including two paddles and a foot pump, which can easily add up to another hundred dollars if you purchase them separately.

The SE370 is a versatile kayak that is at home in a number of different paddling conditions and should provide you with many years of good service due to its quality construction.

Sea Eagle SE370 Package Options

Sea Eagle offers a variety of packages for the SE370. The only difference between the packages are the included accessories – the kayak itself is the same regardless of the package.

Pro Package – This is the most popular package available for the SE370. It comes with two upgraded seats that have durable covers to prevent punctures. The seats also have adjustable straps that offer back support, which can really help improve your comfort and extend your time out on the water.

Deluxe Package – This is a step down from the Pro Package. The included seats don’t have a protective cover and also don’t offer any back support. Not a big deal for short trips but a bit of a drag if you’re out on the water for more than an hour at a time.

Fishing Package – This package is designed for the solo angler. It includes a multipurpose storage box that has two built-in rod holders and gives you a place to put your fishing gear. It’s important to note that this package only includes one seat and one paddle.

Sea Eagle SE370 Alternatives

Having said that, it’s not perfect for everybody and every use. Here are a few alternatives to consider if you’re not sure it’s a good fit for you.

Intex Explorer K2

If the SE370 is a bit more than you’re looking to spend on a kayak, the Intex Explorer K2 could be a good alternative.

It’s definitely not as durable or as well made, but it’s significantly easier on your wallet. The Explorer is also a bit wider and shorter than the SE370, making it a bit slower and offering a bit less legroom. It’s also worth noting that while the Explorer’s seats are removable, there isn’t much room for adjustment. So, if you plan to do a lot of solo paddling, it might not be the best option.

Sea Eagle SE330

The SE330 is another one of Sea Eagle’s inflatable kayaks. It’s a bit more compact than the SE370, measuring in at 11′ 2″ and having slightly smaller air chambers. This makes the SE330 a little easier to handle and could be a good alternative if you plan to do more solo paddling then tandem or are a shorter paddler that won’t be paddling with much extra gear.

The downside to the SE330 is it’s made out of a slightly thinner material so it’s not as durable. It also has a lower maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds.

Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1007-R

If you plan to do a lot of paddling in coastal water, theAdvancedFrame AE1007-R might be a better fit for you.

It’s definitely a step up in price, but it’s specifically designed to handle the rougher conditions that can pop up in open water. While the SE370 can handle open water on very calm days, it’ll definitely be harder to manage if the wind or waves pick up.

The AdvancedFrame AE1007-R has a built-in aluminum rib that greatly improves its performance and its low profile means it’s not as susceptible to the wind.

It’s one of the few inflatable kayaks that will rival the performance of a hard-shell. Its only real downside is its price – it’s definitely near the upper end of the spectrum for inflatables.

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